ladyagate

About two months ago I set up a new 10 gal tank and a month later added 1 honey gourami and 3 rummynose tetras. I absolutely loved this gourami's peaceful and curious temperament so I decided I would purchase another one.

This is a photo that I took of my first gourami


Yesterday I picked up my second honey gourami and when I let him out of the bag everything seemed to start out okay. The original gourami was following the second one around, reaching out at him with his "feelers". The second gourami basically ignored this behavior and spent the next four hours exploring the tank. So far so good.

This is a photo I found online that looks nearly exactly like my new gourami. I am still unable to get a good picture of him because he is still shy of me.


Trouble started a few hours later. While I was sitting across the room watching TV I heard a splash come from the tank and figured I should probably investigate. When I checked out what was going on both gouramis were circling each other at the top of the tank. They were facing opposite directions nearly rubbing up against each other, but at the same time they seemed to be very aggressive and pecking at each other. The strangest thing is that the new gourami took on breeding colors (the black stripe on his bottom fin extended all the way through the face, etc)

I find this confusing because I was under the impression that I had two males in the tank. Do gouramis take on breeding colors when they are showing aggression to other fish in the tank? And are all female honey gouramis greyish brown? I am wondering if the first gourami in my tank might be a female even though it is yellow.

If they continue fighting should I bring the new one back to the LFS?

Any help or ideas of what is going on and what I actions I should take would be much appreciated!

I should add that this has happened (as far as I know) only once so far. I have been monitoring them until late last night and once again earlier today. Last night they slept at opposite ends of the tank (the new gourami stole my original gouramis favorite sleeping spot!) and are now swimming on there own around the entire tank without any fights breaking out.

I am so confused! Did one of these guys insult the other guys mother yesterday and have now talked it out and made up?
I merged your posts. Thanks! Ken

mercurybebe

To my knowledge, the rule is one Gourami per tank. The males are very aggressive with each other and are very similar to Bettas. I can't answer the question about the genders of the fish, but given the fact that they have already "fought" I would move the 2nd Gourami to a new tank or return him.

ladyagate

Well, from what I have read on this site and others, honey gouramis can be mixed if there is a female and male, all females, or even more than one male if there is enough hiding places and the tank is big enough. (Like I said, I have a 10 gal so I'm not sure if this is really enough space for two of them if they are going to be territorial) The first thing I will do when I get home is move some of my plants around to create some better hiding spots and add some sort of floating plant..

Is there anyone out there who knows if males show breeding colors when they are being aggressive? Or if my yellow honey gourami is in fact a male at all?

katetnies

the problem is most likely not enough room in the tank. i will only sell multiples to thos who have 20 gallons or higher.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!

can you try to get a better pic of the finnage of your honey? from the pic, it looks to be a female ....but not positive...and I agree with others...2 gourami's in a 10 gal tank, no matter what the sex, is going to be a major issue...theres no way to get away from one another even with plants and such...if its a m/f combo, he will harrass her till she stresses to death..and if its a m/m or f/f combo, they will definately kill one another fighting for territory...the second pic looks more like a dwarf sunset not a honey ...

ladyagate

Here's a better image of my original gourami.




Today and tonight it's been much more peaceful, just a little bit of chasing here and there. Nothing nearly as aggressive as the other day. In fact, if my original gourami is a female then I am really beginning to wonder if they might become a breeding pair! The new gourami is showing breeding colors when they swim near each other.

MeGustaUnaPez926

I had 2 honey gouramis once. They never fought, but I had a 20 gallon tank, and I bought them at the same time. If they don't calm down, I would take one back, but you could try rearranging the tank, so they can get their own territories. Good luck, they're great little fish.

Shawnie

breeding colors or stress colors? thats the same pic and its still to hard to tell ....dont assume they are ok as again, 2 of them in a 10 gal tank is probably going to continue to have issues...

aquarist48

Good morning. I have to agree that 2 Gourami's in a 10g tank are going to continue to have issues. I would consider taking the new on back. They really are beautiful fish!
Best of luck,
Ken

ladyagate

This is what my 2nd gourami sometimes looks like when they swim near each other. I don't know if they only do this for breeding or also when stressed.
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/galle.../CRW_8611s.jpg

The two photos that I posted of my 1st gourami are not the same photo. The second photo was taken moments later with a different camera setting. Check out the modified ventral fins at different angles. Anyway, this is the best I can do (different camera):


I'd hate to sound rude, but I am NOT just assuming that they will be fine together. That's why I have been keeping close watch over their behavior and have been asking questions here.